Summer setback

Without exception, all July benchmarks fell against June's results. Compared with last July there was no change in dispensing, while AR coats, new contact lens fits, and turnover all improved.
This was also consistent with general trends, which show the best growth in reflection-free coats, with steady increases for new contact lens fits and turnover.
Total eye examinations were down in July by 7 per cent from June, and by 3 per cent from last year. The average change was an increase of 2 per cent over the last 12 months. The proportion of tests that were NHS was still 63 per cent.
Average sales per eye examination were consistent with the previous month at £114.35, an almost 8 per cent increase from last year.
The dispensing rate fell slightly to 70 per cent, calculated from the total number of eye examinations and total dispensing. Total dispensing was down by 10 per cent from June, equalling the results for last July. Figures for single vision, bifocal and progressive lenses were down 9 per cent, 10 per cent and 13.5 per cent respectively. Single vision was the only type of lens to have exceeded last year's figures, up 3 per cent. The overall trend still looks positive with the rise in total dispensing averaging at 6 per cent over the past year.
Single vision accounted for 69 per cent of all lenses dispensed, an increase from last year, mainly to the detriment of bifocal lenses, down 1 per cent.
The volume of spectacles dispensed with reflection-free coating fell some 37 per cent from June's figures, although it exceeded last July by 17 per cent. Hence, proportionally fewer spectacles were dispensed with AR coating in July, down to 49 per cent from 55 per cent in June. In June, the index Ð at 219 Ð was the second highest result, the best month being May 2001 at 246.
The trend has not always been positive for AR coats. Figures declined from mid-1997 to 1998 and, more recently, during the latter half of 2002. However, growth looks much stronger now at 16 per cent average for the year against the previous 12 months.
The number of new contact lens fits was down 9.5 per cent from the previous month but up by 4.5 per cent from last year. The trend still looks positive and consistent at a new rate of 4 per cent, compared to the figures for the previous 12 months. Contact lenses solution sales were down 6 per cent from June, and down 2 per cent from last July. The last 12-month average is up by 2 per cent on the previous year.
Total practice turnover fell by 9 per cent in July, but was up almost 4 per cent from last year.
When comparing your practice with the results it is important to note that all our figures are equated to a 25-day month, so year on year, month on month we can compare equal time periods. Please note all figures shown are adjusted to a 25-day month. July had 27 working days (excluding Sundays and UK Bank holidays).
New contributors to optician Index are always welcomed.
Benefits of participation include customised graphs and comparisons, and contributors are able to make ad hoc enquiries, receiving feedback and results entirely free of charge.
There is also the opportunity to benchmark other aspects of management or sales against the whole sample.


The service is completely confidential.
If a practice would like to contribute to the Index please contact Louise Jarvis at BBL (01634 267503) to discuss the benefits, no obligation.

A LOOK AT THE TRENDS


Without exception, all July benchmarks fell against June's results. Compared with last July there was no change in dispensing, while AR coats, new contact lens fits, and turnover all improved.
This was also consistent with general trends, which show the best growth in reflection-free coats, with steady increases for new contact lens fits and turnover.
Total eye examinations were down in July by 7 per cent from June, and by 3 per cent from last year. The average change was an increase of 2 per cent over the last 12 months. The proportion of tests that were NHS was still 63 per cent.
Average sales per eye examination were consistent with the previous month at £114.35, an almost 8 per cent increase from last year.
The dispensing rate fell slightly to 70 per cent, calculated from the total number of eye examinations and total dispensing. Total dispensing was down by 10 per cent from June, equalling the results for last July. Figures for single vision, bifocal and progressive lenses were down 9 per cent, 10 per cent and 13.5 per cent respectively. Single vision was the only type of lens to have exceeded last year's figures, up 3 per cent. The overall trend still looks positive with the rise in total dispensing averaging at 6 per cent over the past year.
Single vision accounted for 69 per cent of all lenses dispensed, an increase from last year, mainly to the detriment of bifocal lenses, down 1 per cent.
The volume of spectacles dispensed with reflection-free coating fell some 37 per cent from June's figures, although it exceeded last July by 17 per cent. Hence, proportionally fewer spectacles were dispensed with AR coating in July, down to 49 per cent from 55 per cent in June. In June, the index Ð at 219 Ð was the second highest result, the best month being May 2001 at 246.
The trend has not always been positive for AR coats. Figures declined from mid-1997 to 1998 and, more recently, during the latter half of 2002. However, growth looks much stronger now at 16 per cent average for the year against the previous 12 months.
The number of new contact lens fits was down 9.5 per cent from the previous month but up by 4.5 per cent from last year. The trend still looks positive and consistent at a new rate of 4 per cent, compared to the figures for the previous 12 months. Contact lenses solution sales were down 6 per cent from June, and down 2 per cent from last July. The last 12-month average is up by 2 per cent on the previous year.
Total practice turnover fell by 9 per cent in July, but was up almost 4 per cent from last year.
When comparing your practice with the results it is important to note that all our figures are equated to a 25-day month, so year on year, month on month we can compare equal time periods. Please note all figures shown are adjusted to a 25-day month. July had 27 working days (excluding Sundays and UK Bank holidays).
New contributors to optician Index are always welcomed.
Benefits of participation include customised graphs and comparisons, and contributors are able to make ad hoc enquiries, receiving feedback and results entirely free of charge.
There is also the opportunity to benchmark other aspects of management or sales against the whole sample.


The service is completely confidential.
If a practice would like to contribute to the Index please contact Louise Jarvis at BBL (01634 267503) to discuss the benefits, no obligation.

A LOOK AT THE TRENDS